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Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway ~The de Valery Code by Darcy Burke

Thanks for stopping by as FBL hosts The deValery Code Book Tour. From August 17th to August 31st, Darcy Burke starts off her new trilogy (Regency Treasure Hunters), The deValery Code. She stops by today to share a sneak peek of what you can expect. There is a TOUR WIDE Rafflecopter Giveaway for a Grand prize giveaway of a travel toiletry bag from Thirty-One filled with goodies. Scroll down below for the list of the blog stops and your chance to enter to win!

Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare medieval manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could exceed her expectations. Amidst danger, secrets, and an insatiable attraction, is Margery gambling just her financial future . . . or her heart?

Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.

This is from a fun series of events in which Margery and
Rhys keep meeting in the hallway between their rooms. It’s inspired by the
scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom where Indy and Willie keep
meeting in the hall as they fight their attraction to one another. In this part
of the scene, Rhys and Margery have independently decided to look for a book in
their absent host’s office, but end up joining forces.

Margery opened
the door and nearly stumbled, as Mr. Bowen was doing the same.

His lips curled
into a disarming smile. “Again?”

Her pulse
quickened and the heat she’d felt after his kiss raced through her. “So it
seems. Where are you going this time?”

“To get a
book.”

“From the
library?” She nodded. “That’s where I was going.”

They moved
toward the staircase in unison. Though several inches separated them, she felt
his proximity. He’d removed his coat, but still wore his waistcoat. He was
still “dressed,” but some women would be horrified. Margery was not. In fact,
she was disappointed he was wearing so much. It was that which horrified her.

When they
reached the base of the stairs, she hesitated. He did the same.

“Do you think
his office might be this way?” She gestured to the right, opposite where they
would go to return to the library.

He stroked his
jaw, which had darkened at this late hour with the onset of his beard. “It
might be.”

“Do you think
it would be open?”

“There’s only
one way to know for sure.” He turned and led the way.

She stifled a
smile as she followed him down a short corridor. They tried two rooms, but they
weren’t his study. The last door, however, proved successful.

“Aha!” His tone
implied he might’ve found the treasure they sought. His half-smile was charming
and did completely inappropriate things to her belly.

The office was
very masculine, with a pair of bookshelves and a large mahogany desk. Mr. Bowen
went immediately to the desk and sat behind it.

“What are you
doing?” she asked.

“Looking for
the book.” He peered up at her. “Or are we still trying to disguise that’s what
we’re doing?”

She suddenly
felt ashamed. They had no right invading this man’s privacy.

Mr. Bowen’s
brow gathered and he abruptly stood. “I’m afraid I’ve changed my mind. I’m as
desperate as you to study his book, but I can’t bring myself to be rude.”

She retreated
to the door. “Nor can I.”

He joined her
and they exchanged what had to be mutually appreciative looks before trudging
back up the stairs. Outside their rooms, Margery faced him, lacing her fingers
together in front of her waist. “Good night then. Again.”

“Yes, good
night.” He inclined his head, then went to his room.

Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever
after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with
exceedingly poor illustrations. Darcy writes hot, action-packed historical and
sexy, emotional contemporary romance.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country
with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her
“spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where
one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a
fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend
at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcyburke.com.

3
comments:

I can't believe Rhys and Margery BOTH change their minds about looking for the book in the library and go back to their respective rooms. How honorable that is. They don't sound like competitors at all...they sound more like co-conspirators. :-) Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com

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